Members of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) have voted in favour of plans to redevelop the Tavern and Allen stands at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
The £61.8m project was put to the MCC’s 18,000 members at its AGM last week, after Westminster City Council’s planning committee unanimously resolved to grant planning consent for the project at a meeting on 16 April.
The redevelopment will provide improved catering, hospitality and accessibility, as well as increase the ground’s capacity by 1,100.
MCC is now ready to enter the construction phase of the redevelopment, which is due to begin in late September, at the end of the cricket season. The construction of the new stands is expected to complete in 2027.
John Graham Construction has been appointed as the preferred bidder for the main contract to deliver the redevelopment, which was designed by architects WilkinsonEyre.
Robert Ebdon, MCC estates director, said: “The redevelopment of the Tavern and Allen stands will complete our stand development programme, in which we have modernised facilities at Lord’s to continue to ensure the ground remains a world-class venue for cricket. The stands will also strengthen the club’s already-impressive sustainability credentials, and we are looking forward to the construction phase and working closely with our consultants Buro Happold, Gardiner & Theobold and Arcadis.”
Jim Eyre, founding director at WilkinsonEyre, added: “We are delighted to achieve approval for the sustainable revival of these stands at Lord’s, and continue our successful partnership with MCC. The new designs will add great value to this world-famous sporting venue, modernising and improving the existing facilities for its members.”
Rob Joyce, development director at John Graham Construction, said: “We are thrilled to embark on this transformative project at Lord’s Cricket Ground. Our partnership with MCC will deliver world-class sporting infrastructure while preserving the rich heritage of this historic venue.
“Together, we aim to enhance the members’ and public spectator experience, expand capacity, and usher in a new era at the iconic ‘home of cricket’. This project represents a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to shaping vibrant, sustainable communities through exceptional construction projects.”
